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Yankees' Gerrit Cole Announces New Partnership Amid MLB Offseason
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- Yankees' Gerrit Cole Announces New Partnership Amid MLB Offseason
The New York Yankees are heading into the 2026 MLB season aiming to remain contenders in the highly competitive American League East. While the offseason is still unfolding, much of the focus will be on whether ace Gerrit Cole can return to his dominant form once he retakes the mound.
The 35-year-old right-hander missed the entirety of the 2025 campaign while recovering from elbow surgery and is expected to miss part of the upcoming season as well.
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Despite the uncertainty, the Yankees remain committed to him under the nine-year, $324 million contract he signed in late 2019, which runs through 2028.
If Cole is unable to contribute at a high level, the financial burden could prove costly, but his track record provides reason for optimism.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45)Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Beyond his recovery on the mound, Cole has also made headlines off the field with a new partnership that underscores his influence beyond baseball.
On Monday, Cole took to social media to showcase a new partnership with UNTUCKit, an apparel brand known for creating shirts specifically designed to be worn untucked.
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"Big news: Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole is joining Team UNTUCKit. It's a new chapter—with a comeback mindset to start the year strong," the post read in a collaborated announcement between Cole and the brand.
This off-field move highlights how Cole continues to maintain a strong presence both inside and outside the game, keeping his profile visible even as he works toward returning from injury.
Gerrit Cole's Return Could Define Yankees' 2026 Season
Cole has long been regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball, and his most recent healthy stretch in 2024 demonstrated that he can still perform at an elite level. That season, he posted a 3.41 ERA across 17 starts, striking out 99 batters in 95 innings.
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Just a year earlier, in 2023, Cole captured the American League Cy Young Award, further cementing his place among the game's elite.
His track record remains impressive as a six-time All-Star, yet he is still searching for his first World Series title. That pursuit continues with his childhood team in pinstripes, where he hopes to deliver on the biggest stage.
The Yankees are the third organization of his career, following his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013 and a successful stint with the Houston Astros before signing his nine-year deal in New York.
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Now entering his 13th season in the big leagues, Cole's body of work reflects both longevity and excellence. For the Yankees, a successful return from their ace could prove pivotal, serving as the difference between simply competing and truly contending for a championship in 2026.
Related: Yankees' Aaron Judge Sends Message to Giancarlo Stanton After Off-Field Move
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
